Gleanings From The Word: July 2017

Monday, July 31, 2017

An Oracle of God

If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God

(1 Peter 4:11a NIV).

Anyone described as an oracle of God should feel a little trepidation in their heart. The Bible says that the one that speaks for God should speak as if he or she is speaking the “very words of God.” How does one approach this remarkable admonition with confidence and yet in humility?

The Bible does not say that teachers and preachers are God, but it does say oracles of God, and that’s close enough to make one nervous. We all realize that God is not in our bio. We do not have his job qualifications, omniscience (all-knowledge), omnipresence (all-present), omnipotent (all-powerful), etc. He is infinite, and we are finite. He is perfect, and we are imperfect. He is all loving, and our love is dependent on the circumstances and how we are feeling that day. The list goes on and on. Recognizing all this, the only reasonable thing we can do is to ask for help. We realize that in our strength it is an impossible task, but we also recognize that through God we can do all things (Philippians 4:13 NIV). So, we move forward with a realistic estimate of ourselves (humility), and yet, confidence in God to perform his Word. And I might add, leave the results to God.

Don’t be afraid to try. My experience has been that God has given me the things I need to know, to say the things I need to say. No one gets it right a hundred percent of the time. But the wonderful thing about God is, that with a humble heart, God can even use our mistakes for his glory.

Image used with permission by Microsoft.

Ken Barnes the author of “The Chicken Farm and Other Sacred Places” YWAM Publishing
Email: kenbarnes737@gmail.com
website: https://sites.google.com/site/kenbarnesbooksite/

Blogs: http://kensblog757.blogspot.com

http://gleanings757.blogspot.com

Podcasts: http://kensblogpodcast.blogspot.com

http://gleaningspodcast.blogspot.com

Sunday, July 23, 2017

Smelling the Roses

On the night when he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took some bread and gave thanks to God for it. Then he broke it in pieces and said, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” (1 Corinthians 11: 23b-24 NLT)

Wake-up & Smell the Roses

Legendary sportscaster, Vince Scully, once said, “God gave us memories so we could have roses in December.” Remembering the Cross of Christ puts everything in perspective in our Christian experience.

Life is about thorns and roses, the bad and good things we experience. We live in a fallen world. People are not perfect. Even the very elect, our brothers, and sisters are not faultless. If you have not found that out, you will, but don’t become too judgmental because you are in that group also. In any relationship, things happen that are good and some that are not. Memories are about all of our life experiences. We do not have control over what happens to us, but we do have influence, at least in part, in what we remember. We can choose to forgive and move on or hold on to the negative. Jesus did not wait for us to become good, he died for us even while we were still sinners (Romans 5:8 NLT). Seeking forgiveness from God for ourselves and yet refusing to forgive others, reveals how little we understand the extent of our forgiveness.

We need both the roses and thorns. That beautiful flower grows out of the stem that has the barbs. Our journey to spiritual maturity to the “mountain of delights,” often goes through the valley of despair. Even Jesus himself “learned obedience through the things he suffered” (Hebrews 5:8 NLT). When others are mistreating you, and your life feels dark and bleak, like the weather in December, think about what Christ did for you on that tree. Then wake-up and smell the roses.